Railway brake beam



E; G. BUSSE RAILWAY BRAKE BEAM May 1 8, 1943 Fil ed May 10, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 1 mvsnrok May 18, 1943 E. G. BussE 2,319,440

RAILWAY BRAKE BEAM Filed May 10, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m FIG].

\NVENT'OR Ec/n/m 5055c BY AT oRNEY May 18, 1943 E. s. BUSSE RAILWAY BRAKE BEAM Filed May 10. 19:59

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.8.

INVENTOR 0440 Cffiasse g? M A ORNEY Patented May 1 Railway Equipment Company, Chicago,

III., a corporation of Illinois Application May 10, 1939, Seriai'No. 272,927

19 Claims. (01.188-226) The invention relates to truss type brake beams such as are in use on railway rolling stock and including usually a tension member passing through a brake head or similar thrust block and having a tensioning device on its end portion. i

This application is a continuation in part of my earlier application filed March 9, 1938, Serial Due to the repeated application and release of braking forces, there is a tendency for the beam members, and particularly the tension member, to fail due to the repeated bending of its fibres back and forth. This bending may be in a horizontal plane, or in a vertical plane or in any inclined plane, ofthe tension rod axis, due to misalignment of the various contacting surfaces of the brake head, tension rod, nut, or compression member. For instance, if the ends of the brake beam compression member are not square with its length, or if one leg is shorter than the other, or if the head nut seat is not at the proper angle, or if the nut is not threaded at right angles to the face of the nut, or if there is a shifting inthe placing of the core in the brake head in moulding-any or all of thesemisalignments will tend tobend the tension rod in relation to thebrake head.

extending longitudinally Figure 2 is a front elevation of the beam. Figure 3 is a horizontal section on, an enlarged scale taken on the line 3 3 of--Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figures 5, 6, '1, 8, 10' and 14 are detail sections corresponding to Figure 3 but each illustrating a different form .of the invention. 9 1

Figure 9 is a view of the inner face of the brake head illustrated in Figure 8, showing the compression member of the beamin section.

Figure 11 is a view of the inner side of the structure'shown in Figure 10.

Figures 12 and 13 are transverse sections taken on the corresponding section lines of Figure 10.

The beam shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises the compression member I, the tension member 2, and the strut 3, all of usual form. Mounted The main object of the present invention is to prevent such bending, adjacent the brake head, by anchoring the tension member to a portion of the head spaced from the tensioning device as distinguished from other structures in which it has been attempted to prevent failure of the tension member by reinforcing it adjacent the outer face of the head. Such structures are illustrated, for example, in my Patent No. 2,094,034 issued September 28, 1937.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a brake head of A. A. R. standard contour and size and weight, means for gripping the tension member of the beam adjacent the inner face of the head.

Another object of the invention is to arrange the brake head and tension member on the com- 4 pression member so that there may be some play or weaving between the compression and tension members of the beam without corresponding relative play between the tension member and the brake head. i

These and other detailed objects of thejinvention are attained by the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top view of a brake beam embodying one form of the invention.

- wedge ened, or provid on the end portions of compression member I are the brake heads 4, each being open on its inner side to receive the compression member the end of which is seated against the inner face 5 of the outer side wall or face 6 of the brake head. Wall 6 of the brake head and also the opposite wall or face 1 of the brake head are apertured to receive the tension member which passes through the brake head from side to side and projects outwardly beyond outer wall 6 where it is threaded to receive a nut 8 seated on a bearing 9 formed on the head wall 6. The nut constitutes a tensioning device for setting the beam, as has long been the general practice.

The inner wall 1 of the brake head is thickindicated at H), and has a groove ll extending alongside of tension member 2 and arranged to receive a wedge I! which may be driven home to thrust the tension member against the opening face l3 which is opposite the groove Ii. After the wedge is tightened its inner end [4 may be bent, as shown in Figure 3 to hold it against working out of the head.

With this arrangement, the head sleeve l0 and I2 comprise elements directly behind the shoe supporting portions l5 of the head and spaced from the tensioning device 8 and from the channel-receiving pocket and closely surrounding the tension memberand functioning to prevent bending of the rod transversely of its length, relative to the head, independently of the functioningof nut 8 to tension the rod and set the camber of the compression member which determines the relation between the fulcrum pin opening in the strut and the shoe supporting face of head portions l5.

ed with an inward extension, as

' sleeve 60 63 and the wall The portion of the head surrounding compr sion member I is shown as providing a slight clearance laterally of the member and this permits a desirable freedom of movement the compression'member relative to the head transversely of the length of the beam without affecting the setting of the beam due to the tension rod and nut bearing on the head which seats the end of the compression member. This-clearance also facilitates the unitary action of the head and tension member, thereby further in the tendency of the tension member to'iail because of its bending at any point in or adjacent to the head.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 5, the wedge or key 20 is shifted to the opposite side of the rod-receiving recess in the inner wall 2| of the head and the inward projection 22 on the wall is provided with a surface 23 inclined to the face of the rod 24 and serving to bend the forward portion of the wedge as it is driven home to tighten the grip of the head upon the rod. The outer wall 25 of the head, as in the head previouslydescribed, has an aperture loosely receiving the end portion of the rod and forming a seat 26 for the tensioning nut 21.

In Figure 6, the inner' wall 40 of the head is thickened and closely surrounds .the adjacent portion of the tension rod-ll but is'not provided with additional rod-gripping elements such as the wedge or tapered sleeve preyiously described. While this arrangement does not contemplate separate means adjustably mounted on a head for gripping the rod, it is an arrangement of oppositely facing sleeve forming elements distinct from the usual head structure and spaced from the channel receiving pocket and tending to limit or prevent any transverse play of the rod in the brake head. The rod is shown as of full diameter throughout its length and instead of being threaded for an end nut the tensioning device is provided by a tapered key 42 passing through a slot formed in the rod and seated on bearing 43 provided on the outer face of the outside wall of the head.

The structure illustrated in Figure 7 corresponds to that shown in Figure 6 except that the rod 50 is threaded throughout its end portion and provided with a nut as in the first forms described herein.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a structure in which the rod engaging part 55 of the brake head only partially surrounds the rod and is grooved or slotted at 56, an tate production and particularly the making of the core. Preferably part 55 will be reinforced by ribs 51.

Since the rod engaging elements of part 55 extend more than half way around the circumference of the rod the latter will be held against movement relative to the brake head at this point just as it would be held in the other constructions which completely suround the rod.

Figures -13 illustrate another form of. the invention in which the portion of the head surrounding the'tension rod 88 at a point spaced from the tensioning nut is extended to form a. merging'with the head outer wall 6i. Preferably the irmer end of this sleeve has an oifset portion 62 grooved to receive a wedge key of the sleeve has an opening 64 at the inner end of oflset portion 62. When the key is driven home its inner end 65 will be deflected through opening 64 and the bending of the key will. prevent its accidental removal,

arrangement which may faciliwould be likely to result similarly to the arrangement shown in Figure 5. Wedge 83 and the inner end of sleeve I comprise elements spaced i'rom'the tensioning nut device and closely surrounding the tension member to hold it against bending relative to the head.

Preferably the outer rear section of sleeve ll is flattened or recessed at 66 to better accommodate the seating of the end of the beam compression member 61 which would abut the adjacent portion of the sleeve if the latter were continued to the outer wall of the head throughout its periphery. Opening 66 would be unnecessary it the dimension X should be increased but in some instances this would be undesirable. particularly for replacement purposes, as it would depart somewhat from a dimension which has long been standard.

Neither the feature last described nor the key receiving ofiset is essential to the use of the through sleeve arrangement and Figure 14 illustrates a form of the invention in which a sleeve 10 extends diagonally through the head but does not receive a key and is not cut away at the seat for the compression member. Sleeve 10 consists of a separate piece of pipe welded at W to the inner and outer walls of the head H and holding the tension rod 12 against movement relative to the head transversely of its length.

In each form of the invention there is a device cooperating with the outer portion of the head to positively engage the tension member and arranged to be tightened to give the beam 9. predetermined set or initial tension. In Figures 6, 7, 8 and 14 the sleeve structure consists solely of the cylinder in the head casting. In Figures 3, 5 and 10 the relatively movable wedge forms a part of the sleeve structure. In each form the sleeve structure comprises oppositely facing elements, whether integral or adjustable, which are spaced from the channel receiving pocket in the head and closely engage opposite sides of the tension rod to hold the rod against bending about the base of the end nut as a pivot point which in failure of the rod at this point long before its useful life is shortened otherwise.

The general contour of the head is not changed from usual A. A. R. outline and the head is interchangeable with heads previously applied to similar beams so that adoption of the invention would not require the scrapping of beams previously in use.

Obviously the forms of the invention described are illustrative only and other variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of such modifications as come within the scope of the claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a truss type brake beam, a compression member, a brake head seated thereon and including brake shoe mounting lugs, a tension member extending through said brake head, a tensioning device on the end portion of said tension member and seated against the outer'portion of said brake head, and a device for gripping said tension member laterally, mounted on said head between the sides head and in the rear of said lugs but spaced from said tensioning device and functioning independently thereof.

2. In a truss type brake beam, a compression member, a brake head seated on the end portion of said compression member and having a transversely extending opening, a tension member exvice onthe end and seated against the outerportion of said brake head, and wedging structure in the space member,

said opening. a tensioning deportion of said tension member tending through between the side of said tension member and the side of said opening and arranged to be tightened independently of said device to resist the bending of said threaded portion relative to said head by the application and release of braking forces.

3. In a truss membe a brake head seated on the end portion of said compression member and having a transversely extending opening, a tension member extending through said opening, a tensioning device a on the end portion of said tension member and seated against the outer portion of said brake head, and a. wedge inserted between said tension sion member adjacent said device, and elements on said head spaced from said device and opposing opposite sidesof said tension member to hold the same against bending relative to said head in a planein which bending strain is set up by the braking thrust.

5. In a truss type member, a brake head thereon, a tension member extending through said head, a tensioning device seated on the outer side of said head and operatively engaging the end portionof said tension member, there being a sleeve-like structure extending inwardly from the opposite side of said head and slotted lengthwise for holding said tension member against movement relative to said head transversely of its length, said sleeve including a radial reinforcing rib spaced inwardly from the adjacent side of the brake head.

6. In a truss type brake beam, a compression member, a brake head thereon, a tension member extending through said head, a tensioning device seated on the outer side of said head and operatively engaging the end portion of said tension member, there being a sleeve-like structure extending between the inner and outer sides of said brake head and provided with means between said sides for engaging said rod to hold it against movement relative to said head transversely of its length.

7. A structure as described in claim 6 in which the portion of the sleeve nearest thecompression member is recessed to accommodate said compression member.

8. In a truss type brake beam, a compression member, a brake head thereon, a tension member extending through said head, a tensioning device seated on the outer side of said head and operatively engaging the endportion of said tension member, there being a sleeve-like structure extending between the inner and outer sides of said brake head and having a recess opening inwardly from the innerside of said head, and a wedge inserted in said recess and cooperating with said sleeve for holding said tension' member against movement relative to said head transversely of its length.

9. In a truss type brake beam, a brake head,

type brake beam, a compression there being an elebrake beam, a compression a compression member with its end seated against the innerface oi the outer ,wall of said head, a tension rod extending diagonally through said brake head at an acute angle to said compression member and extending through said outer wall so close to said compression member that said tension rod is but slightly spaced from said compression member, a tensioning device on said tension rod and seated against the outer fac of said wall, said head being provided with a sleevelike rod-receiving structure extending diagonally between the outer and inner sides of said brake head and holding said tension rod against movement relative to said head transversely of its length, said structure adjacent the end of said compression member being recessed to clear the compression member. i

10. In ahead for a railway brake beam. an

outer side wall forming a seat for a beam tension member nut and having an aperture arranged to surround a beam tension member, the inner side of the head spaced from said outer side wall being arranged to receive a beam tension member, there being sleeve-like structure extendin between the sides of the head and terminating therewith and provided with means for engaging a beam tension member to hold the head against movement, relative to the tension member, in opposite directions in any plane in which forces are exerted upon application of thebrakes.

11. In a head for a railway brake beam, an

outer side wall having an opening through which the beam tension member may extend, the exterior face of said wall forming a seat for a tension member nut and the interior face of said wall forming a seat for the end of a beam compression member, and sleeve-like structure extending diagonally inwardly from the opposite side of the head and constructed and arranged to engage a tension member passed through the head to hold the head against movement relative to the member in a plane in which bending strain is set up by the braking thrust, said structure being recessed adjacent to said outer wall to provide clearance for a beam compression member seated in the head.

12. In a head for a railway brake beam, an

outer side wall forming a seat for a beam tension member nut and having an aperture arranged to loosely surround a beam tension member, an inner side wall spaced from said outer side wall and having an aperture arranged to surround a beam tension member, there being structure between said walls having oppositely faced elements constructed and arranged to closely engage opposite sides of a beam tension member, passing'through the head, at a part of the tension member spaced from said outer wall to hold the. head against movement relative to the rod in a, plane in which bending strain is set up by the braking thrust.

13. In a truss type brake beam, a compression member, a brake head thereon, a tension member extending through said head from side to side of the latter, a tensioning device on the end portion of said tension member, the outer wall of said head forming a seat for said tensioning device, and sleeve-like structure extending inwardly from the inner side of the head and terminating at a point spaced substantially from said outer wall and engaging opposite sides of said tension member and provided with tightening means to hold said tension member against play, transversely of its length, in said head.

14. A brake beam including a compression member, a tension member extending from approximately the ends' of the compression member to a point spaced from a mid-portion of the compression member, a strut separating the tension and compression members at their midportions, and a one-piece brake head at each end of the beam fitting over the compression member and having the tension member extend therethrough and bearing thereon externally to form a truss, the brake head having a pocket to receive the compression member and having ring bearings at both sides of the brake head, the one, at least, at the side of the brake head toward the main length of the tension member being formed by a sleeve extending substantially through the brake head to form an elongated bearing surface for the tension member.

15. A brake beam including a channel-shaped compression member, a tension member extending from approximately the ends of the compression member to a point spaced from amid-portion of the compression member, a strut separating the tension and compression members at their mid-portions, and a one-piece brake head at each end or" the beam fitting over the compression member and havingthe tension member extend therethrough and bearing thereon externally to form a truss, the brake head having a pocket to receive the compression member and having ring bearings at both sides of the brake head, the one, at least, at the side of the brake head toward the main length of the tension member being formed by a sleeve extending substantially through the brake head to i'orm an elongated bearing surface for the member, the sleeve extending between the legs of the channel-shaped compression member and having a portion thereof near the outside edge of the head omited to leave room for the base of the compression member.

16. A brake beam including a compression member, a brake head on the end of the compression member, and a tension member extending through the brake head and drawing it tightly onto the compression member, the brake head fitting the compression member and the tension member loosely with ring bearings at both sides of the head, the one, at least, at the side of the head toward the main length 01' the tension member being formed by a sleeve integrally cast therewith and extending substantially through the brake head to form an elongated bearing surface for the brake head on the tension member.

the tension proximately the ends of length of the 17. A brake beam including a compression member, a tension member extending from apthe compression member to a point spaced from a mid-portion of the compression member, a strut separating the tension and compression members at their midportions, and a one-piece casting at each end of the beam fitting over the compression member and the tension member.

18. In a truss type brake beam, a compression member, a brake head receiving the end portion of the compression member and having parts positioning the end portion of the compression member in the head, a tension member extending through said head, a tension device engaging the end portion of said tension member and the outer face of the adjacent side of the head, the portion of the head adjacent said device loosely surrounding said tension member, and a sleeve in the head extending inwardly from the opthe head and closely surrounding member and holding the tension member against bending relative to the head, the sleeve including an outer periphery spaced from said parts and the inner end of the sleeve being spaced from the side wall of the head seating the tensioning device.

19. In a truss type brake beam, a compression member, a brake head thereon, a tension member extending through said head, a tensioning device engaging the end portion of said tension member and the adjacent outer face of said head, said head having a,rigid part spaced from said device and substantially surrounding the tension member, and an element engaging said part and the tension member and movable relative thereto to thrust them against each other to effect their tight engagement and thereby prevent relative movement of said head part and said tension member transversely of the latter.

EDWIN G. BUSSE. 

